Entries for Club of the Year close on Friday

Irish International John O’Shea has appealed to clubs in Donegal to get their entry in for the Aviva Club of the Year ahead of next Friday’s (13th May) deadline.
Republic of Ireland International John O’Shea, said; “The Aviva Club of the Year is a no brainer for any football club in Ireland. If clubs in Donegal are doing any good work in any of the areas of development, participation, facilities or in the community, then they may be in with a great chance to be shortlisted. I know that €6,500 would make a huge difference to any club and even winning €1,500 for being shortlisted would go a long way with a junior soccer club anywhere in the country.”
The competition is open to all football clubs across the country. Eight clubs will be shortlisted for the award, two from each category. Each will receive €1,500 and the overall winner of the Aviva Club of the Year will be awarded €6,500 for their club.
The Aviva Club of the Year is now in its 11th year and is open to any club across the country to enter free of charge online. Overall, in excess of €160,000 has been awarded to clubs country wide in recognition of their achievements on and off the pitch. Clubs can enter in one or more of the four categories; Community, Coach Education, Club Development and Participation.
The top two in each category will go forward to the final round at the FAI AGM in July, when they will present to the Club of the Year judging panel. The judging panel is headed by Donal Conway, Chair of the FAI Underage Committees and includes representatives from FAI Club Development, Dublin City Council and Aviva.
Last year’s winners Achill Rovers from Mayo were nominated in the participation category but it was there overall work in the Achill community that saw them secure the award. They integrated every part of the island, young and old, into the club and even attracted Cameroon World Cup star Joseph Ndo as a coach to Achill Rovers, such was the draw of the spirit around the club.
Entry to the Aviva Club of the Year is free and can be completed quickly online at www.aviva.ie/avivacoty. Entries for this year’s Aviva Club of the Year close on the 13th of May.